Tag Archives: Refugees/asylum seekers

May 21, 2015 – Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan E. Mendez and other independent UN human rights experts have welcomed the Malaysian, Indonesian and Thai leaders’ decision not to push back migrants and asylum seekers arriving in their territorial waters as “an important and welcome step forward in recognition of the need to protect the right to life for all, regardless of their status. The experts stated that “pushbacks conducted against migrants and asylum seekers which may also include victims of trafficking are never a good option.” They only end up perpetuating the suffering of children, women and men who are already risking death for a better life.” They further noted that “once rescued, asylum seekers and migrants should be received in open centers offering adequate accommodation facilities and, where necessary, have access to medical care.” You can read the press release in full on the OHCHR website.

July 2013 – Freedom from Torture releases groundbreaking report, the Poverty Barrier, based on comprehensive studies of the experiences of torture survivors during and after seeking asylum in the UK. The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture’s foreword in the report outlined the international legal obligations of States to ensure effective rehabilitation services to all survivors and the concept of “as full rehabilitation as possible” which calls upon States to ensure that victims are fully involved in the process to help them rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society. According to the report, asylum seekers and refugees who already are victims of torture are further victimized when pushed into poverty in the UK and thus are unable to meet essential living needs, suffer from exacerbated poor mental health, and are unable to engage effectively in therapy. Read the full report here.